Candia, New Hampshire – Richard and Denise Courville, well-known owners of several nursing homes, were tragically killed in a head-on collision on Route 101 in Candia on Saturday. The accident occurred when Michael Wescott, 59, of Greenville, New Hampshire, lost control of his pickup truck, side-swiping a Nissan Sentra before colliding with the Courvilles’ Jeep Grand Wagoneer. All three individuals died at the scene.
Richard Courville was the president and CEO of Courville Communities, which operates senior living and long-term care facilities in Manchester, Bedford, and Nashua. The couple’s loss has sent shockwaves through the communities they served, with many expressing their condolences and sorrow.
On Facebook, users shared their grief and memories. Brittni Rassier commented, "How about we don’t jump right to conclusions. Nobody knows what had happened. So instead of all being keyboard warriors and judgmental ‘humans,’ we respect the fact that families are grieving for the loss of their loved ones."
Scott Couture expressed his frustration, stating, "This infuriates me. People think their speeding won’t affect anyone else. Tell that to the two people in the car that are now dead. Tell that to their family."
Others, like Liz Pearson, reflected on their positive experiences with the Courvilles’ nursing homes. "We had a very close family friend who lived at the one in Manchester. I was so impressed by all of the staff. I have never been in a nursing home that feels like a home," she wrote.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with speed reported as a potential factor. However, further details are yet to be confirmed. The community continues to mourn the loss of the Courvilles, whose impact on senior care in the region was profound.